Former Director of Tucson Water District

Froilan H Cota, died on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Banner University Medical Center.

Froilan was a long time resident and public servant of the city of Tucson. Froilan Cota was born in Douglas, Arizona on September 20, 1929. He is survived by his Wife, Amaya Cota; Daughters, Rossana Cota (Ken Kirtley), Clarissa Cota (Robert Purdy), and Mavi MacEwen Khodr (Fouad Khodr); Sister, Margarita Chavez; Grandchildren, Alexander Arager, Harrison Arager, Marco Khodr MacEwen, Yasmine Khodr MacEwen, Robert Purdy II, John Purdy II, Luciana Purdy, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Agustina Cota, his sisters, Odilia Cota, Gemma Wells, Julia Dahlstand, and his first wife, Rosita E Cota.

Froilan served his country in the US Army as a Sergeant in the Korean War. In 1958, he earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona and later credits towards a Masters degree from the UA and from USC in the same subject. Froilan began his career in Engineering as an Assistant Civil Engineer for the city of Los Angeles from 1958-1961. In 1961, Froilan and his wife Rosita, and daughter, Rossana moved back to Tucson where he began his career as a Design Engineer with the city of Tucson, rising up the ranks as a Civil Engineer I, II, III, IV, becoming Chief Engineer for the Water and Sewer Department and was eventually appointed the Director of the Water and Sewer Department for the city of Tucson, retiring in 1989. Froilan continued to work as interim director for the city of Douglas, AZ and for the city of Oro Valley with the water department for a few years after his retirement from the city of Tucson. In 1987, Froilan married Amaya MacEwen, whom he affectionately called "Amore." Froilan and Amaya were happily married for over 37 years.

His love of music, poetry, reading, bowling, badminton, racquetball, hosting festive gatherings big or small, travels with Amaya, and being amongst family were the things he cherished and were most important.